Sara L. Merwin

Jul 25, 2024 | kevinmd.com | Debbie Moore-Black |Bonnie Friedman |Sara L. Merwin |Laura Faluade

The initial psychiatric interview of a patient is often a crucial part of the developing relationship between patient and physician. Establishing rapport, reaching a diagnosis, discussing treatment options, and formulating a plan, are the main frameworks of the interview. There remain, however, increasing pressures to reach the final diagnosis, often from patients and caregivers on initial meetings with providers that can lead to rushed or overlooked symptoms.

Jan 30, 2023 | kevinmd.com | Sara L. Merwin |Garrett Jensen |Alison Vasa |R. Barnett

The COVID ICU is abuzz with monitors beeping and doctors and nurses rushing from bed to bed to care for critically ill patients, most on ventilators. The machines – dialysis, vents, pumps – sound off their rhythmic repetitions; breaths are pushed in and pulled out, and meds are dripped. Only the patients themselves are silent. We know this, and we hear this, but we are not there. It’s thhe height of the COVID pandemic, and visitors are not welcome, so we are not at the bedside. We are remote.